Ginebra makes it two in a row under coach Cariaso with win over Meralco

Ginebra rookie center Greg Slaughter fights for a loose ball. Jerome Ascano

IMPORT Zach Mason and Greg Slaughter triggered a searing second-half offensive as Ginebra outlasted Meralco, 95-82 to grab a share of the lead in the PBA Governors Cup on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Mason banged in a game-high 32 points and grabbed 19 rebounds, while Slaughter added 22 and 10 boards as they completely overwhelmed the Bolts with their sheer size and quickness.

After the two sides traded baskets during the first six minutes of the third period, Mason took matters into his own hands, shooting a three-point basket before shifting to attack mode inside the paint.

His gung-ho effort got the Gin Kings going from there as they turned a close 54-52 count into a 72-61 early in the fourth period.

Ginebra held on to the lead from there as Slaughter pounded the ball inside to put the finishing touches to the team’s 2-0 start under new coach Jeffrey Cariaso.

“What I like about tonight was us going through a hard time early in the first quarter, but we persevered,” said Cariaso, whose team managed to climb back from an early 2-12 deficit in the first period.

“They (Bolts) played well in the first quarter, coming out with 28 points, but what I’m proud today is we stuck with the system,” he added.

“We didn’t change the way we play and somehow we tried to keep it close, and eventually ran away in the fourth.”

Ginebra ourrebounded Meralco, 57-48, while enjoying an 18-11 edge in the assist department as well.

Terrence Williams had 26 points and 11 rebounds, but he shot just 7-of-24 overall for the Bolts, who remained winless three games into their campaign.

The scores:

Ginebra 95 - Mason 32, Slaughter 22, Baracael 11, Ellis 9, Aguilar 4, Tenorio 4, Caguioa 4,  Monfort 3, Reyes 2, Helterbrand 2, Mamaril 2, Ababou 0.

Meralco 82 - Williams 26, Hodge 19, David 12, Dillinger 11, Hugnatan 8, Ildefonso 2, Caram 2, Wilson 2, Timberlake 0, Salvacion 0.

Quarterscores: 18-28; 46-43; 68-61; 95-82